Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-01-20
Diamonds: Their Origin, Formation
and Uses.

Diamonds have been objects of inter.
est botlr to the ancients as well as they
are at present to all classes, but more
especially to scientists and savants. to
whom, even up to this present age, they
are a mystery. as to their origin or for
nation. Though known TO be com
posed of pure carbon, Pliny, as we'll as
other ancient writers, seems to have
bea2 ignorant rs to their characteristics,
being iInbued with more superstitious
ideas than a true practical knowledge
or estimate Of their powers of resistance,
believing they could only be crushed by
a previous bath CT goats blood. Per-
slams give special veneration to the dia-
mond, owing TO their belief that they
fell from tho heavens at the earliest
creation of the world. Others attribute
them to be of celestial origin, as aeroi-
ties. possessing electric light; others.
again. believe them of vegetable origin,
as some are found with water cavities,
also vegetable as well as animal matter
embedded in them. Workers in them
seem to have Il more true and practical
knowledge of them, and feel convinced
they are more of a volcanic origin. and
their surmises may be correct. by the
recent discovery in South Africa, where
most OF the supply is derived from the
bed or mouth of an exhausted crater.
Also in the discovery, within the past
half century, of its sister morphonic
gem, called Carbonate" which to an
inexperienced eye (in some stages of its
forreati0n) has the outward appearance
Of crystals of emery. and when broken
looks like fractured hardened steel;
again, in other stages the appearance
of porous lava; but even TO the worker,
as well rs the scientist, their progress
siye age of formation still remains a
mystery. 1t is impossible 10 say whetli-
er the above is an Old or young dia-
mcud, being M opaque combination of
minute gray crystals, compressed to-
getier by some natural force into such
Il dense form and temper as to make its
sister lamellar and transparent gem
subject TO its attrition, and IN inva1u-
able adjunct in the mechanic arts.
Again, We see the diamond i'll its transit
tion state of formation from carbonate
to that of n granular lameilar diamond
flakes, and then progressing (f one
may presume TO so call it) into the
Opaque carbonacul ar form called borts
(Iike rough molten balls of glass;, and
when broken furnish fibrous splinters
like asbestos, which are used fov drill
ing holes in jewels. etc. Finally, they
verge into the lameilar translucent and
transparent state, having a cleavage
like mica, of geometrical forms. Some
of these crystals are formed with other
small o~ctahedron diamonds embedded
IN the side facets. As to the uses of the
Aipn.Nr1 il, nr.a.. 1870 .nl H. lsaz-
ent nations, they are undoubtedly pre-
historic. and might be classed in their
uses among the ton age. 1t has been
conceded by modern savants that they
must have been used in the days of tho
Pharaohs for something besides amulets.
1t \ meeting of tho Anthropological In
stitute OF London. not long since, by a
reading before them. Mr.. w. NJ. Flinders
had collected evidence in a tomb at
Gizeh that tools armed with Jewels had
been used i'll the form of solid or tubular
drills. - well as saws.
The unfinished obelisk at the Egyp-
tan guarries. which has been lying
there for over 1000 years, has c%ontinn-
Gus spiral grooves, being of uniform
depth, showing the cutting edge of the
tool was not in any wise impaired. Dia-
monds had different names in various
ages, among nations and tribes. In the
days OF Solomon. ''samern or .shamer,"
after tho miraculous stone-workinc
worm of that name; by the Egyptians.
auerchilis or ~chalazias; Grecian, adamas
or ~adamantine; and by the Jews,
lahaoms, etc. Thus lost arts are being
restored to us by scientific research.
aud In recent years as well rs the pres
\ We now see the diamond adver-
1ssed IN mnititudinous branches of arts.
lney have for one time been grow
ing rapidly in favor for trimming or
.salng eiiiliei iron. paper calender and
pofoesaan rolls. emery wheels, saving
.nu trimming stone. boring rock for
s1nnsl'ng q prospecting mines to